Closure mechanism



June 6, 1961 H. T. GOLDE 2,987,331

CLOSURE MECHANISM Filed May 17, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 June 6, 1961 H. T.GOLDE CLOSURE MECHANISM 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 17, 1957 UnitedStates Patent 2,987,331 CLOSURE MECHANISM Hans T. Golde, 338 HanauerLandstrasse, Frankfurt am Main, Germany Filed May 17, 1957, Ser. No.659,927 Claims priority, application Germany May 29, 1956 4 Claims. (Cl.287- 85) This invention relates to vehicles with convertible clo suresand more particularly to devices for assisting in the folding of suchclosures.

It is an object of the invention to provide an improved device for thefolding of the flexible tops of convertible vehicles and moreparticularly such improvements as to permit the folding of convertibletops which prevent the tearing thereof and which posses suflicientstructural rigidity so as to enable the proper performance of thefolding operation.

Briefly, to achieve its objectives the invention contemplates theprovision of a resiliently mounted folding arm on a roof brace in such amanner as to permit a certain pivotal deflection of the folding armwhereas a longitudinal or axial type displacement of the arm issubstantially prevented.

The invention and further objects thereof will be apparent from thefollowing detailed description of a preferred embodiment of theinvention, the detailed description including the accompanying drawingwherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a brace with a folding arm mountedthereupon in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1, thesections being taken through the longitudinal center line of the foldingarm;

FIG. 3 is a side view of a vehicle having a roof provided with closuremechanisms in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 4 is a top view of the vehicle illustrated in FIG. 3 with thematerial of the roof removed;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to that of FIG. 2 with the closure mechanism inposition beneath the material of the roof; and

FIG. 6 illustrates a plurality of closure mechanisms as positioned withthe roof or flexible top folded.

The structure shown in the drawing includes a brace 1 having a C-shapedcross-section which defines an inner elongated cavity opening to theoutside of the brace 1 via a narrow slot or mouth.

The structure further includes a flexible block 2 which is of rubber orother suitable resilient material and which is substantially a cube inshape but which has its lower side set at an angle to the opposite face.

The structure further includes a bolt 3 and a folding arm 4 as well as aretaining plate 5 and a cotter pin 6.

The folding arm 4 comprises two spaced sections which are displaced by aconnecting and integal member of a height substantially equal to that ofthe flexible block 2. This displacement serves to enable the operativesection of the folding arm 4 to be positioned substantially in the planeof the brace 1 while at the same time providing for accommodation of theflexible block 2.

The retaining plate 5 is positioned within the brace 1 Patented June 6,1961 adjacent the opening thereof and the plate 5 is engaged by the bolt3 which extends through the block 2. At the other end of the bolt 3,i.e., that end which protrudes from the block 2, the folding arm 4 isengaged and held in position by means of the cotter pin 6. The height ofthe entire structure is such as to slightly compress the block 2.

It will be noted that by means of this construction the folding arm 4constitutes a lever provided with a limited pivotal action due to theresiliency of the block 2. This limited pivotal motion enables thefolding arm 4 to yield slightly to forces exerted by the material of theroof and consequently prevents the lever arm 4 from piercing or exertingundue forces on the material m of the roof.

However, the structure is sufficiently rigid in the longitudinaldirection of the folding arm 4 so as to prevent substantially anydisplacement in this direction. Thus a structure is provided whichpermits the roof folding operation to be performed in eflicient mannerbut which provides for a suflicient yielding of the folding arm 4 so asto avoid possible deleterious effects upon the ma terial of the roof.

There will now be obvious to those skilled in the art many modificationsof the structure set forth which do not depart essentially from thescope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A folding mechanism adapted for use with flexible tops of vehicles,said mechanism comprising a brace, a folding arm connected to the lowerside of said brace and extending substantially transversely thereof anda resilient block sandwiched between said brace and said arm, said bracehaving a G-shaped cross-section and defining a slot opening downwardly,a bolt including an enlarged head portion engaging the brace, the boltincluding a shaft extending from said head portion through said slot,resilient block and arm, and means on said shaft for holding said blockin compressed condition between said arm and said brace.

2. A mechanism as claimed in claim 1 wherein said means for holding saidblock in compressed condition is g cotter pin sandwiching said arm andblock against said race.

3. A mechanism as claimed in claim 1 wherein said block includesopposite sides, one of which abuts against said brace, the sides beingangularly disposed with respect to each other.

4. A mechanism as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a retainingplate having an opening large enough to accommodate said shaft but smallenough to prevent the passage of said head portion, said retaining platebeing positioned in said brace and receiving said shaft therethrough andengaging and supporting said bolt head within said brace.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,340,273 Jones May 18, 1920 1,772,414 Brooke-Hunt et a1. Aug. 5, 19302,025,874 Lange Dec. 31, 1935 2,289,173 Best July 7, 1942 2,792,215Timpner et a1. May 14, 1957

